The Importance of Healthy Friendships in Maintaining Marijuana Addiction Recovery

Addiction is a complicated disease that is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetic makeup, environment, circumstances, and relationships. One major element that will impact marijuana addiction and recovery is friendships. For example, a 1996 article released by the Journal of Substance Abuse indicated that dysfunctional friendships have a negative influence on a person’s choice to use drugs. For some people, the influence of peers is significant in their path towards addiction and/or recovery.

Elements of Healthy, Sober Friendships

While you might know that healthy friendships are important for marijuana addiction recovery, you might not know what healthy friendships look like. Many addicts have been in unhealthy relationships for so long that they cannot recognize the elements that make up a healthy friendship. According to Young Women’s Health, elements of healthy friendship include:

Communication

Trust

Independence

Feeling of safety and security

Mutual support

Ability to share feelings freely

Freedom to develop other relationships

Ability to be vulnerable

Accountability

Encourages personal development

Healthy physical and emotional boundaries

Non-critical toward self and others

No friendship is perfect; however, healthy friendships will evolve and grow in these healthy elements. If your friendships are marked by distrust, coercion, and a lack of boundaries, you may want to consider letting go of those unhealthy relationships in order to have time and space to develop healthy ones.

How to Develop Healthy Friendships that Support Marijuana Addiction Recovery

If you have been a part of unhealthy relationships for a long time, you may not know how to develop healthy friendships. Part of your addiction recovery involves learning healthy relationship skills. According to a 2011 article from the Mayo Clinic, there are several things you can do to nurture healthy friendships. Ways to develop healthy friendships include:

Respect boundaries – Give your friend emotional and physical space and respect her need to have closeness as well as personal space and privacy.

Don’t play the comparison game – Don’t measure yourself or your friend based on how much money you make, how many friends you have, the car you drive, or the house you own.

If you are just learning to develop healthy friendships, keep in mind that it is a lifelong process. Don’t be discouraged if you struggle in some areas.

Getting Help for Your Marijuana Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with a marijuana addiction, we can help. You can call our toll-free helpline any time, 24 hours a day to talk with one of our admissions counselors about the best treatment options for your unique situation. Your life and your friendships are too important to lose to a marijuana addiction. Call us today and start on the road of recovery.

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